# Harvard Psychologist Identifies Five Signs of Overprotective Parenting Meredith Elkins explains how excessive intervention hinders child development and resilience. - **Source:** [Clarín](https://www.clarin.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-06 - **Topic:** [health](https://brifing.si/c/health) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/7bd20a0e-767c-4537-97a4-274b10d728e8 ## The Impact of Overprotection Meredith Elkins, a clinical psychologist at Harvard Medical School, warns that constant parental intervention hinders a child's autonomy. While rooted in affection, protecting children from every conflict or disappointment prevents them from developing essential coping mechanisms. This cycle often leads children to perceive the world as inherently threatening and dangerous. ## Solving Problems Too Early Parents often intervene in school conflicts or social disputes before children have a chance to try. Elkins suggests that instead of providing immediate solutions, parents should ask children what they think they could attempt. This simple shift in communication encourages independent thinking and helps children build their own problem-solving strategies. ## Suppressing Negative Emotions Attempting to eliminate sadness, frustration, or anxiety sends a message that these natural feelings are dangerous. Elkins argues that children must learn to recognize and navigate these emotions as part of their development. Validating their feelings while expressing confidence in their ability to handle them is far more effective than distraction. ## Misjudging Child Resilience Parents frequently assume their children are more fragile than they truly are, lowering expectations to avoid discomfort. Elkins emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between a genuine risk and a merely uncomfortable experience. Setting expectations that align with a child's actual age and capabilities is crucial for fostering their personal growth. ## Prioritizing Results Over Learning Intervening to ensure good grades or perfect outcomes denies children the opportunity to learn from their mistakes. Elkins advises allowing children to face the consequences of their decisions within a supportive environment. This approach promotes better adaptation and resilience, as children learn that setbacks are a normal part of life. ## Managing Parental Anxiety Adults often let their own fears regarding failure or social judgment dictate their parenting style. Elkins recommends that parents pause before acting to determine if the situation poses a real danger. Often, the intervention is actually intended to alleviate the adult's own discomfort rather than the child's genuine need. ## Building True Resilience Resilience is not built by eliminating all obstacles, but by providing a secure base from which children can face them. The goal is to orient without controlling and accompany without substituting the child's own capabilities. This balance ensures that children feel supported while still learning to navigate life independently. ## Finding the Right Balance While overprotection is a significant concern, Elkins acknowledges that a total lack of support is also detrimental to development. The objective is to provide consistent emotional containment while simultaneously allowing each child the space to function on their own. Finding this middle ground is essential for raising capable, confident, and resilient individuals. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.clarin.com/estados-unidos/meredith-elkins-psicologa-harvard-5-senales-sobreprotegiendo-hijos_0_kK1A6F1SRD.html — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._